O-06 Parental perceptions, knowledge and practices related to unintentional injury among toddlers in New Providence, Bahamas
Author(s):
T Gibbs, S Carroll, S Pinder-Butler, M Frankson
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the most frequently reported accidents among toddlers; as well as knowledge, perceptions and practices among parents/guardians.
Methods: Two hundred seventy-nine parents and guardians of children, ages 1-4 years old, in attendance at local public health clinics were surveyed using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a combination of originally constructed questionnaires and an adapted version of the Framingham Safety Survey.
Results: The median parental/guardian age was 29.0 IQR (26.0, 36.0) years old. The modal toddler of interest age (in years) was 1 (1, 4). The modal accident type reported among toddlers was falls. The mean parental/guardian knowledge score was 60.7% (SD ±16.0%). The greatest areas in need of counseling included fire safety/burns (fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, hot water, smoke, electric cords), poison, choking and car safety.
Conclusion: Knowledge level overall was satisfactory, but still has room for improvement. Knowledge was worse in the areas of fall prevention and car safety. Parents are open to receiving advice and learning about child accident prevention and their main sources are their social network (family/friends) and their child’s physician.